Your guide to the best sewing machine for your child

Hello Kitty Sewing Machine: The Janome Hello Kitty 11706

The Janome Hello Kitty 11706 is fun, affordable, and perfect for Hello Kitty fans and kids alike. The Janome 11706 is considered a ¾ size model, meaning it’s a little smaller than your normal sewing machine, but this model also packs a lot of great features into its little package. There are even 9 stitches included.

What else does the Hello Kitty sewing machine have to offer?

Janome Hello Kitty 11706 Features at a Glance

9 stitches

Free-arm design

Lightweight and portable

Heavy duty sewing capability

Four-step buttonhole

Snap on presser feet

Stitch width maximum of 5mm

Stitch length maximum of 4mm

3-piece feed dog

Easy Stitch Selection and Visualization

New sewers need to be able to quickly and easily switch between stitches. On the right side of the machine, there is a visual diagram of all the stitches offered and a knob for stitch selection. This allows users to be able to quickly adjust their stitch type to match their sewing needs. Users will want to note that there is a buttonhole stitch to make sewing buttonholes a breeze in just 4 easy steps.

There is also a reverse lever that allows for stitch locking with ease.

Left of the stitch dial, you’ll find the tension dial. This is the tension of the thread itself and will allow you to create consistent stitches all across the fabric. The tension settings range from 1 to 5.

The user can adjust the stitch length up to a maximum of 4mm, and the stitch width can be adjusted to a maximum of 5mm.

Free-Arm Design

The free arm design is ideal when trying to hem pants or sew cuffs on a shirt. This allows you to maneuver the fabric to complete difficult sewing projects.

Note: Being a ¾ size model, the workspace is 5” x 4”.

Portable and Lightweight

Being just 11 pounds, the 11706 is extremely portable yet still comes with the high durability that Janome is known for producing. Users will be able to move this model from one room to another with ease, and will also have the option of storing all of their sewing items and threads in the accessory storage compartment.

Adjustment Options

Beginners and younger seamstresses will find that the Janome Hello Kitty sewing machine offers just the right number of adjustment options. Users will be able to adjust:

Stitch width

Stitch length

Stitch type

Tension dial

These options allow for fast and easy control over your sewing machine without an abundance of extras that confuse new users. Sewing couldn’t be easier with this model, and once you show kids how to sew, they will be sewing on their own with this simple, yet durable machine.

A few of the projects that the 11706 can easily tackle are:

Pillowcases

Curtains

Scarves

Shirts

Pants

Pretty much any project you can think of aside from quilting, this powerful machine will be able to handle.

Hello Kitty Sewing Machine Pros and Cons

Pros

Easy to use – even for kids

Small and lightweight

Cute design with a myriad of adjustment options

Cons

Limited stitch options

The biggest issue with this machine is that it has just 9 stitch options. This will become an issue for more complex projects or for someone that wants to venture into quilting. The 9 stitches included allow for most sewing projects to be completed with ease, but anyone that is looking to quilt will find that this model’s sewing area is too small and the stitch options are limited. In this case, I recommend using a computerized sewing machine that offers numerous stitch options, including dozens of decorative stitches.

There is also no speed control, which means sewing satin or sheer materials is out of the question.

With that said, this is the perfect sewing machine for beginners and kids because it is:

Simple and easy to use

Durable

Offers adequate stitch options

For most projects, the 11706 will provide fast and effortless sewing. Made by the Janome brand, this model will last years with regular use, and is small enough to carry around and transport. Don’t let the small size fool you, this is a full-powered, complete sewing machine with all of the bells and whistles – at an unbeatable price.